Saturday, March 27, 2010

When Michael and I were expecting our first child we spent LOTS of time discussing names. We both suggested names that we thought "sounded good." We both suggested family names. We thought and thought and talked and talked. Then we decided we really wanted to name our children names that had meaning and significance.

A few days before Miles was born we were still thinking about names. Michael was searching the internet and looked up nick-names for Michael. He found Miles, an old nickname for Michael which means soldier. We loved that name and when Miles was born it fit him perfectly. We added the middle name Kent in honor of my grandfather. He was a loving and caring man and we wanted Miles to have those traits.

When I found out I was expecting our second child Miles was only 14 months old. He was very verbal. I asked him when I was 2 or three months along I told him, "Mommy is going to have a baby brother or sister. What do you think we should name the baby?" He looked up at me with those big blue eyes and said, "Happy." He stuck with "Happy" through the remainder of my pregnancy so when it came close to time to have Isaac we looked for names that meant happy. We found Isaac which means "he will laugh." We thought it was a lovely name and when Isaac was born the name fit him perfectly. We chose the middle name Lynn to honor a man who had a great influence in Michael's life.

I have looked at lots of name books and websites in my life. I don't remember when but a long time ago I came across the name Abeni. It is an African name that means, we prayed for this little girl and God gave her to us. Sometimes the meaning is shortened to girl prayed for. I loved that meaning and thought if I ever had a daughter I would name her Abeni. (Ab like Abby, a like a ball, and nee like knee.) We will be leaving her Korean name as her middle name. We are considering giving her an american middle name also. We haven't decided on that yet.

Monday, March 22, 2010

So since we have made the announcement of our referral we have been getting lots of questions. The two most common are.....

First What happens now? and Second When will you get her?

Here is the answer to question one.

1. We are still so happy with our referral that I don't think our feet have touched the ground. We have lots of steps to go through in order to bring sweet little Abeni home. Basically we get to play paperwork ping-pong between the US government, our US agency, the Korean Government, our Korean agency, and us. The poor paperwork ball gets bounced around a lot; it is quite confusing I will do my best to explain here.

1. First we signed official acceptance paperwork. This paperwork all had to be notarized and we sent it back to the agency of Thursday March 11th.

2. Our US Agency will compile all of the paperwork and send it off in a package to Korea. This happened Monday March 22nd. (There have been some paperwork mix-ups already)

3. Our Korean Agency will ok the match and then send "legal" paperwork to our US Agency.

4. Our US Agency will take that paperwork, send us a copy, file for an interstate compact, and file an I600 form with the US customs and imigartion (hereafter referred to as USCIS.) We will then wait for approval from USCIS. The Interstate Compact is an agreement between Utah and Colorado that gives permission for us to have Abeni in our care even though she is in the legal custody of AAC. The purpose of the paperwork with USCIS is to designate our little girl as an immediate relative and say that we will sponsor her to enter the US.

5. The USCIS will send the approval to the National Visa Center (NVC.) This step is referred to as NVC in.

6. The NVC will send all of the paperwork to The US Embassy in Seoul. This step is referred to as NVC out.

7. The US Embassy will complete a "P3" and send it to the Korean Agency.

8. The Korean Agency will submit an Exit Permit (EP) request to the Korean Government.

9. The Korean Government will approve the EP. (Steps 8&9 are taking a long time right now.)

10. Abeni will make a personal appearance at the US Embassy in Seoul.

11. Abeni will have her "Visa Interview" with the US Embassy in Seoul.

12. The Korean Agency will call our US Agency and tell them we can travel at any time. We will receive the magic "Travel Call."

13. We get to go to Korea and bring our little girl home!!!!!!

We have been in contact with our agency about how long we are expected to wait for travel call and we are being told around eight months. This timeline could change one way or the other.

To answer the "when will you get her" question.

We really don't know for sure there are some slow downs in the adoption process right now. We are hoping to have her home around her first birthday

Monday, March 15, 2010

So Isaac turned three years old yesterday! We are so lucky to be able to kiss and cuddle him on his big day. He was thrilled to be the center of attention and have "ultimate power." Michael had to work so his birthday party will be next week. We had a little celebration yesterday though. He chose a purple cake with sprinkles. Miles gave him some cute little Mickey Mouse Pajamas. Here are some photos of my little man.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Our daughter is four and a half months old. She weighs just over 10 lbs. and is 21 inches tall. She laughs out loud, and holds her head up when on her belly. She sleeps almost all day waking up every 3-4 hours to eat. She is described as "adorable" and "cute and alert" in her paperwork. She stops crying when she hears her foster mother.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Saturday, March 6, 2010

In Korea right now my daughter is falling asleep in her foster mothers arms. Sleep well little one! Here is my referral day letter to Abeni.

Dear Abeni,

You are a gorgeous baby! Today Daddy and I saw your face for the first time. You are a tough little cookie. Miles was so excited to see you he kept saying "She is amazing!" "I can't believe we got our referral." "She is my cute sister." Isaac said "we call her abby she be my baby." I love to look at the picture of you and think about what you will like to do. I wonder if you will be a tom-boy like me or more of a girly-girl. Will you like to read or draw? Will you be wild like Miles or more cuddly like Isaac? You have an amazing foster mother who is taking such good care of you. I can't wait until I have you in my arms. I hope you grow up strong and happy. Daddy and I will be doing everything we can to get to Korea to get you soon. We love you little girl.

Friday, March 5, 2010

We are thrilled to announce the referral of our daughter. We are thrilled she is gorgeous wonderful and perfect! At our agency request we will not be posting pictures on this public blog. E-mail me for an invite to my private blog.